The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-11-05
BORN TO COMMAND.
How My Grandmother Suppressed
an Insurrection.

shall not attempt to deny the fact that
my grandmother, Prudence Hascall, "wore
the breeches" over my grandfather, who
answered to the name of Josiah. He was
short, fleshy, good-natured, lazy, and could
only be aroused by some sensational event.
My grandmother, on the contrary, was tall,
spare, always scolding, active, and had the
ambition Of q politician.
Thirty years ago, when almost every New
England d family had q turn Of ''western fe-
ver," she looked across tho dinner table at
Josiah one day, and commanded:
"Josiah. sell the farm, and we will re-
move to Iowa"
Just what grandfather said in reply lido
not know, but in two weeks he had sold the
farm disposed of his personal property,
shaken hands all around. and man and wife
were on their way West
"Josiah, buy this house and four acres OF
ground" commanded Prudence, as the
couple halted at the county seat of new
county in the northern part Of the State.
Again do not know what grandfather
Feplied but he made the purchase Grand
mother intended, ultimately to command
grandfather to purchase farm, but she
saw speculation in buying this property,
and beside, knew that nothing would be
lost in waiting to look around a little.
''Josiah, take the nomination for sheriff.
commanded Prudence, when q delegation
waited upon grandfather one day, few
months after his arrival, and informed him
that he had been selected as their party
candidate for the office named.
Now, my grandfather was inst the wrong
man7to make good sheriff, especially in
That wild district, the home Of horse
thieves, counterfeiters, highwaymen and
murderers. and no knew his failings. But
when Prudence commanded, it was Josiah's s
duty to obey, and week afterwards he
had been duly elected county sheriff.
There was some difficulty attached to the
position; the salary was fair, the jailor had
his rent and fuel gratis, and the duties
were not SO laborious as farm work.
My grandmother had thought these things
all over, and had planned just how every
thing should be carried out. She knew
that her husband was too good-natured to
prosecute thief, too lazy to catch one,
and so, one day, after moving into new
quarters, she coolly remarked:
"Josiah, appoint John Granger your first
deputy, and also make him assistant jailor."
Two hours after, the appointment had
heen made, and the deputy was in posses
sion Of his office. Granger was almost a
giant in height and weight, was as brave as
. lion, had been deputy under the previous
administration, and had the name OF being
the best thief-catcher In the county. Ny
grandmother knew that grandfather could
only hold the position in name, for reasons
before given, and she had wisely selected
Granger, who was single man, and could,
therefore, become an inmate of the family.
The Jail was about the only stone build.
ing in the county, and it was o good one.
The board Of supervisors had felt the need
of some stron g place in which to confine the
desperate characters lowering around Pal
myra, and had accordin gly been liberal
with the county funds. 1t was atwo-story
structure, with wing for the jailor's
family, the second story for females and
boys, and thirteen stout coils on the ground
floor. These cells were all in q row, with
q ten-foot corridor in front. An iron door
led out into q large hall, which was also q
reception room. Stairs led from this hall
to the second story; there was an Office at
ono end waste-room at the other, and
then small hall led into the wing. The
door OF this II tile hall was very heavy and
stout, and was always kept locked. All
the water, provisions and so forth, were
brought in from the wing through this
door. TAX on altogether, tho jail was 9
strong one, and grandmother and Granger
had their own way about conducting it.
yThe building held two or three prisoners
only when my grandfather took possession
but about month after that event, clever
Of the ground cells were occupied by al
desperate set Of men as ever looked
through the crates. Three were there OF
charge of murder, four for highway robbery
and the other four were professional horse
thieves. All W ere waiting for the session
Of court, which would result in their being
sent to o stronger prison.
One day, while grandfather was wonder
ing who the twelfth man would be- he cam'
in. What his real name was, no one knew
He was known all over the State as "Wild
Cat Jim," and was the most daring, reck
less, hardened criminal that ever entered
the State, which is giving him big pun
He was suspected Of half dozen murders
he had been In prison for highway robbery
he confessed TO having stolen upwards o
thirty horses, and there was county ant
State reward on his head when arrested
He WAS brought in by four men, and the.
had him roped and chained until there wa
no chance for him to move q limb. The,
carried him in from the wagon, laid hin
down in the corridor, and after untyinI
him, forced him into cell ut the muzzle 0
Q revolver.
wThere's Wild. Cat Jimln was shouted b,